Newburgh's Ruttys play for keeps

They are only pickup games, but they're still intense, with elbows and dreadlocks often flying.

Justin Rodriguez

They are only pickup games, but they're still intense, with elbows and dreadlocks often flying.

Former Newburgh Free Academy star Justin Rutty and his brother, up-and-coming NFA junior forward Jonte Rutty, go at it one-on-one on any court they can find over the summer and during college breaks. Justin, a star at Division I Quinnipiac University, proudly tells anyone who wants to know that his kid brother has never beaten him.

"And we've been playing forever," Justin said. "Jonte's gotten bigger and stronger, but he isn't good enough to beat me yet. But I think that's good because he's going to keep working hard to pass me."

Welcome to the Rutty sibling rivalry, where during any given game of one-on-one, heated words can be exchanged, or a shoving match might break out. That's just the way Justin and Jonte express their brotherly love.

Jonte will take his licks. After all, his sessions with Justin, a 6-foot-7 power forward who was the Northeast Conference player of the year last season, only make him better. And as much as Justin likes schooling Jonte, he wants to see him continue to develop his talented game.

They always support each other. Jonte often travels to Quinnipiac to watch Justin control the paint, and big brother comes home to watch Jonte and the Goldbacks.

"Justin is the brother everyone wishes they had," said Jonte, who's averaging 14 points and six rebounds for Newburgh (4-0). "He's been taking care of me since I was a kid and, basically, taught me how to play basketball. We talk almost every day, and the first thing he will ask me about is how I'm doing in school."

Jonte wears the same No. 12 as Justin, the Varsity845 Player of the Year in 2006-07, wore at Newburgh. Both brothers are lefties. However, their games are much different, and Jonte doesn't feel any pressure following Justin in the Goldbacks' frontcourt.

"Some people, like security guards at school, say I have big shoes to fill," said Jonte, who played jayvee last season. "But I don't worry about that. I worry about playing basketball. Whatever happens, happens."

Justin is an inside player, grabbing rebounds, powering to the basket for layups, with a good jumper. Meanwhile, Jonte, 6-4, is an inside-and-out player, with a knack for hitting 3-pointers.

As for personality, Newburgh coach Frank Dinnocenzio calls both of them "The Mayor." Just as Justin did, Jonte always shakes Dinnocenzio's hand before every practice.

The brothers aren't so cordial during their one-on-one battles, which have included a few bloody noses.

Justin isn't shy about dropping big dunks on Jonte. Still, when Justin scores his final points, everything is usually cool with Jonte.

"He's always dunking on me, but I still feel like I accomplished something," Jonte said. "We have a lot of close games and, if I can guard Justin, I can guard anyone. No player puts fear in my heart. Justin has helped me a lot."